Carnation named Kristina

ABSTRACT

A new standard carnation cultivar particularly distinguished by light pink colored flower petals having violet spots, which may occasionally be elongated, wherein each petal is bordered with a slightly serrated margin of violet. These flowers are medium in size, borne singly on long, strong stems and bloom profusely during the recurrent blooming seasons of Spring and Fall. This plant has a vigorous upright growth habit and abundant foliage.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

This carnation cultivar originated as a hybrid seedling produced in anursery at San Remo, Italy by my crossing of two plants, hereinafteridentified, selected from a field of various carnation varietiesmaintained at my nursery for breeding purposes. This particular seedlingwas selected from those produced by said hybridization because of theunusual flower coloration on a plant having moderately abundant foliage,favorable growth characteristics and tolerance to Fusarium oxysporum.After isolation of the selected plant, vegetative propagation was madeby cuttings or by in vitro culture. The said propagation was made at ourlaboratory located in Le Pradet (France). Under my direction,propagation was done by means of cuttings. The initial success of thepropagation was continued through several successive generations whichproved that the new variety retained all of the distinguishedcharacteristics hold true from generation to generation and appear to befirmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This new carnation cultivar is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographic drawing which, in full color, shows the distinguishingcolor characteristics and flower form of this plant, the color renditionbeing as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to obtain byconventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of our new carnation plant withthe color designations according to The R.H.S. Color Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London, England.

THE PLANT

Origin: Seedling.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Plant 208 (Unpatented). Plant 208 is a standard carnationhaving white petals with slightly serrated margins of violet. The stemof plant 208 is thick and straight and has a length of 64.3 cm at thetenth node. Plant 208 is not commercially available. Pollen Plant: Plant330 (Unpatented). Plant 330 is a standard carnation having light pinkpetals with a serrated margins. The stem of plant 330 is not very thick,but is straight. The length of the stem of 330 is 68.5 cm at the tenthnode. Plant 330 is not commercially available. These parent plants areso identified in my business records of the present cultivar maintainedat the office of the San Remo, Italy, nursery and the production of theaforementioned hybrid and the selected seedling are also there recorded.

Classification:

Botanic.--Dianthus caryophyllus.

Commercial.--Standard carnation.

Form: Erect bush having at least four stems emitted near the ground.

Height: Approximately 105.8 cm in average at 8 months.

Internode length: 7.88 cm between the 4th and 5th node.

Main stem length: Approximately 64.3 cm at the tenth node.

Cane length: Less than 15 cm because of pinching.

Strength: Strong.

Branching character: This plant is moderately branched.

Growth: Vigorous and upright.

Foliage:

Quantity.--Medium.

Number of leaves.--More than 120.

Size of leaf.--Approximately 12.5 cm×1 cm at the 7th node.

Leaf shape.--Fusiform.

Margin type.--Smooth, typical of the genus.

Texture.--Leathery.

Color.--Upper side -- RHS 137-A. Under side -- RHS 137-A.

Reflexing of the leaves: The leaves bend slightly downward at an angleof 35 degrees with the stem.

Surface bloom: The leaves and stem contain a very thin layer of waxysurface bloom. This surface bloom is only microns in thickness. If thewaxy layer is removed from the leaves of the stem, the color of theleaves or the stem becomes a darker green. The leaf color beneath thesurface bloom is RHS 137-A.

THE BUD

Size:

Diameter.--Averages about 2.1 cm.

Length.--Averages about 3.0 cm.

Shape.--Ovoid.

Rate of opening: Normal for carnations.

Color of petals:

When sepals first divide.--RHS 11-D and RHS 71-D.

When petals begin to unfurl.--RHS 27-D and RHS 71-D.

Sepals:

Number.--Approximately 5-7.

Shape.--The sepals are hooded over the bud before dividing and stand upas the flower petals unfurl. The sepals are joined together at the lowerpart and sharp pointed at the extremity.

Color.--Inside -- RHS 149-D. Outside -- RHS 143-D.

Striae: Longitudinal striae.

Calyx:

Shape.--Campanulate.

Size.--Long.

Splitting.--The calyx does not split.

Aspect.--Glandular.

Flower stem:

Length.--About 64.3 cm in average.

Character.--Rigid and erect.

Color.--RHS 137-A.

THE FLOWER

Blooming habit: Recurrent and profuse during the mid-season of Springand Fall.

Size of bloom: Medium.

Diameter.--About 8.4 cm in average.

Depth.--About 3.4 cm in average.

Borne: Singly.

Shape:

When the bloom first opens.--High centered.

When bloom matures.--High centered.

Petalage:

Number of petals.--Averages about 67.

Arrangement.--Imbricated.

Form.--Fan-shaped with a waved outer margin.

Texture.--Leathery.

Margin type.--Slightly serrated.

Appearance.--Satiny.

Color.--Outer petal: The body has the color RHS 56-D. The border has thecolor RHS 71-A. Also, the spots on the body have the color -- RHS 71-A.Base: RHS 145-B. Reverse side: The body has the color RHS 56-D. Theborder has the color RHS 71-A. Also, the spots on the body have thecolor -- RHS 71-A. Inside petal: About the same as the outer petals.Base: RHS 145-B. Spots: As indicated above, the color of the spots onthe petals in RHS 71-A. The size of the spots on the petals does notchange with the season. Additionally, the spots are randomly distributedon the petals.

Discoloration after full bloom: The color of the body becomes RHS 56-Cand border and spots have the color RHS 71-C.

Persistence: The petals hang on and dry for more than 20 days.

Fragrance: A light fragrance is perceptible. The fragrance is typical ofthe genus Dianthus caryophyllus.

Lasting quality:

As a cut flower.--At least 10 days with vase keeping.

Is the bloom affected by wet or hot weather: No.

Disease resistance: Tolerant to Fusarium oxysporum.

THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens:

Number.--3 to 8.

Arrangement.--Around the ovary.

Anthers.--Size: About 3 mm. Color: Cream.

Filaments.--Length: About 1.2 cm in average. Color: Cream.

Pistils.--Number: About 3 to 4.

Styles.--Length: About 3.1 cm in average. Color: Cream.

Stigmas.--Color: Cream with traces of violet.

Character of ovaries: The ovary is slightly ribbed.

This new variety most closely resembles Digimas. Digimas is unpatentedbut commercially available. Kristina is particularly distinguished byits small flower, abundant flower spots and more intense color.

Fertile: Yes.

Fruit: Yes.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinctive carnation cultivar substantially asherein shown as described, characterized by its light pink flowershaving violet spots, which may occasionally be elongated, borne singlyon long, strong stems, the flowers being characterized by petals whichhave a slightly serrated margins violet in color.